How did you lose it ?" "It was bit off." The other gazed at him stupefied; his jaw dropped.

The company shouted, and old Broderson, believing he had somehow accomplished a witticism, chuckled in his beard, wagging his head.

But suddenly he fell grave, struck with an idea.

He demanded: "Yes--I know--but--but what bit it off ?" "Ah," vociferated Osterman, "that's JUST what you promised not to ask." The company doubled up with hilarity.

Caraher leaned against the door, holding his sides, but Hooven, all abroad, unable to follow, gazed from face to face with a vacant grin, thinking it was still a question of his famous phrase.
"Vertilizer, hey?
Dots some fine joke, hey?
You bedt." What with the noise of their talk and laughter, it was some time before Dyke, first of all, heard a persistent knocking on the bolted door.